We’ve all experienced a baking phase, there’s no hiding it. That time during the first wave of the COVID pandemic where everyone seemed to be baking banana bread? Yup, been there, done that. It’s crazy to think that before the pandemic, I didn’t even know how to boil an egg. I was that kid who just lived off food from the pantry. However, seeing others make use of their time by baking during the lockdown inspired me to step into the kitchen. I don’t mean to sound cliche, but from that point on, there was no turning back for me. I was OBSESSED. Like, bake-something-new-every-single-day obsessed. To be honest, I think most of my creations during the early days just went to the trash because there were simply too many treats for a family of three to eat. As I started tinkering around with new ingredients and different styles of cooking, I came across many different food bloggers. Some were amazing, some had a unique style, and some were just down right terrible. Today, I am going to be sharing with you my top three favourite food bloggers of all time. I highly encourage you to check them out and even try a new recipe or two!
1. Rachel Mansfield
https://rachlmansfield.com/recipes/
I first discovered Rachel Mansfield through Instagram (I know, I know, so original). All her creations on her feed looked so insanely amazing- I just knew I had to try some. My very first recipe of hers that I tried was the Cake Batter Blondies. They were so simple to make, yet addictingly delicious. One of the things I love about Rachel Mansfield’s recipes are the ingredients she uses. They are all healthier, better-for-you ingredients. That makes it totally acceptable to have five cookies in one day, right? (I’m so not speaking from personal experience.) Don’t be fooled though, these recipes definitely don’t give up taste for health. You wouldn’t even know they were healthy! All the recipes are also simple enough for all skill levels, making it perfect for people who are just starting to learn their ropes around the kitchen (like me at the time). My personal favorite recipes are the monster brookies, apple pie stuffed snickerdoodles, and chocolate chip cookie skillet.
2. Half Baked Harvest
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/
Half Baked Harvest is known for its beautiful food photography. Every time I scroll through the blog, I find myself mesmerized by the beautiful dishes. I’ll admit, the recipes do take a little more effort to make, but it is definitely my go-to when I want to make something with a little oomph. Taste-wise, the dishes are heavy on the herbs and cheese, and truly taste like something made by a professional. Half Baked Harvest is the perfect blog to find recipes for your next get together, Christmas dinner, or even when you just want to treat yourself to good food. Some recommendations are the apple cinnamon rolls, sweet and sour chicken, and the chipotle BBQ chicken tacos. And if the recipes seem intimidating at first, don’t worry! It will get simpler once you actually start cooking.
3. Ambitious Kitchen
https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/recipes/
Ambitious Kitchen is what I refer to as my everyday essentials blog. From sweet potato crust quiches to street corn tacos- it has everything. All the recipes I have tried so far have been a success, and I love that they take minimal effort to make and use simple, everyday ingredients. There are also many dietary options, from vegan to gluten free. As someone who doesn’t drink cow’s milk or eat gluten, this blog has proven to be a life saver. Another thing I love about Ambitious Kitchen’s recipes is how wholesome and home-y they taste. Imagine eating your grandma’s grilled cheese with a steaming bowl of tomato soup. This pretty much sums up the feeling I get when eating food from this blog. If you’re looking at the blog and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of recipes on it, I recommend you try the bakery style blueberry muffins, cheddar broccoli chicken pot pie, and the buffalo cauliflower mac and cheese.